Wellbeing @
Railway Gardens

Come and explore the Five Ways to Wellbeing at our Wellbeing Cafe; a friendly, welcoming space to connect with other people, share wellbeing tips and ideas and try out some enjoyable activities.

The “cafe” is open every Wednesday, from 1pm till 3pm, with a different weekly activity starting around 1:30pm.  The kinds of activities you can expect including natural crafts, games, sketching, cookery, or gentle mindfulness walks. 
The first and last half hour will be an informal time for chat, to have a cuppa, or just be in the company of others. Each week we will explore one or more of the five ways to wellbeing; you can read more about these here. 

Our Green Wellbeing activities are generously funded by The Nature Hubs fund, in partnership with Hubbub and Starbucks. 

Good to know before you come
  • The Wellbeing Cafe is free. 
  • Free hot drinks and biscuits are provided.
  • You can stay for as little or as much of the session as you like, and you don’t have to take part in an activities that you don’t want to try. 
  • Our site and buildings are accessible with an accessible toilet and baby changing. 
  • We welcome support workers bringing people along, but we do ask that you stay for at least the first session, and if the person your support has specific needs that we could help accommodate, please contact us in advance. 
  • We do ask everyone taking part ot follow a simple code of conduct, developed by participants, to ensure everyone feels safe and heard. We’ll share this at your first session. 
  • If you have any questions about the Wellbeing Cafe you can contact us here. 

Please get in touch here if you're interested in joining the Wellbeing Cafe

Other ways to wellbeing at the Gardens

Here are our top suggestions for making the most of Railway Gardens for caring for your physical and mental health

  • Try out goodShed. goodShed is a friendly group that meets weekly for tea, chat, and DIY projects. They are inspired by the Mens’ Sheds movement, but are open to all. The group is free and meets every Tuesday, 2 – 4pm. Pop to the Welcome Cabin when you arrive if you’re not sure where to go. 
  • Watch the world go by. You are always welcome, when we’re open, to simply sit, relax, and enjoy the space. Some people bring a book to read, others enjoy watching the bees and butterflies or seeing the trains go by. We have lots of seating in sunny spots. 
  • Volunteer with us. It’s a great way to make new friends and we’ve got lots of casual and regular roles to choose from, so you can find something that works for you. Love chatting to people? Join our Meet and Greet team
  • Book a massage with Claudia. Based on site, Claudia offers a range of holistic treatments  for women and members of the LGBTQ+ community in a safe and cosy space – the Green Squirrel team are big fans! 
  • Come to an event. We have a community programme packed with exciting events, from cookery sessions and suppers to clothes swaps and music. You can see what’s on here. 
  • Join the Growing Group. Gardening can be extremely calming and mood boosting; once a month we hold a Gardening Club led by our friendly community gardener Helen who will help you find a task that feels right for you. No experience needed, just come along! Check the programme for upcoming Saturday dates.